Priest Who Tied Up, Blindfolded, and Threw Boy in Closet Gets 60 Days in Jail

Last year, we posted a disturbing story about an abusive Catholic priest from the Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo. Father Brian Stanley had allegedly punished a child in 2013 by wrapping him in plastic and duct tape, covering up his eyes and mouth, and throwing him in a janitor’s closet for an hour (if not more).

At the time, he was criminally charged with false imprisonment (which is when you “imprison” someone without his or her consent). He pleaded guilty in November.

The good news now is that he’ll be going to jail.

The bad news is how short his stay will be.

In an Allegan courtroom Monday morning, Brian Stanley was sentenced to 60 days in jail with credit for two days served. He will also serve five years probation and must register as a sex offender for 15 years.

Does two months behind bars make up for the lifetime of trauma he’s inflicted on a boy?

And how much responsibility does the Church deserve for employing anyone who would do something like this?

Unless these crimes are punished more severely, and unless those with the power to stop it step up to do more, they won’t end.

(Portions of this article were published earlier. Thanks to Audrey for the link)